THE family of the only North-East victim of the September 11 tragedy broke their silence last night to reveal plans for an emotional pilgrimage to Ground Zero to remember their son.

Speaking from their home in Chester-le-Street last night, Gavin McMahon's parents told of their dread at returning to the scene of their son's death for a memorial service to the 2,800 victims.

Terry McMahon, 68, and his wife Linda, 69, also revealed they were outraged at Press reports they are about to receive cash from the US Government anxious to head off court action.

Gavin, originally from Chester-le-Street, was in Tower Two - where he worked as an insurance executive on the 99th floor - when the second plane slammed into it.

Two months later, his girlfriend, New York lawyer Bridget Fitzpatrick, told how she watched in horror as the Twin Towers collapsed - knowing he was inside.

Gavin's devastated father, Terry, had been visiting his son in New York just hours before the terrorist atrocity.

Speaking exclusively to The Northern Echo, he said they were steeling themselves for the emotional trip to Ground Zero one year on from the tragedy.

They plan to lay flowers at the victims' memorial to remember their son.

Terry said: "We are going out there in September and it is a dread for us. We know we have to do it, but we know it will be upsetting.

"It's not the first time we've been to America since, though. I've visited my sister in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and we're going there in Easter."

They also spoke out to scotch Press reports claiming they were to receive $250,000 - £170,000 - in compensation from the US government to persuade them to avoid court action.

No offer has ever been made direct to the McMahons.

Terry added: "These inaccurate reports have caused us even more heartache. I thought they were disgusting.

"We have categorically not been offered any money from the American government, and suggestions that we have are deeply distressing.

"His mother and I are grief-stricken every day. We don't want people thinking 'look, they are going to get loads of money'.

"No amount can cover the loss of our only son. Not even the $8bn they are talking about as the final total for everyone who died."

On the day of the attack, Gavin and his father - who had been helping decorate the new apartment with Bridget in New Jersey - had travelled into the centre of Manhattan together.

His dad tried to persuade Gavin to take the day off, but he had insisted on going to work. They parted in the city centre and, when the terrorists struck, Terry was on the bus to Cape Cod, oblivious to what happened.

His mother, Linda, 69, also spoke of her heartache. "It was Mothers' Day recently and that was very difficult for me.

"This hush money thing made it even worse. When I saw it I shook from the top of my body to the bottom."